Surveys the growth of the plastic industry, stressing the new materials developed during World War II. Shows the manufacture and fabrication of articles from plastic materials.

This was the first film released by Young America Films (January, 1945).


This movie is part of the collection: Prelinger Archives

Production Company: Young America Films
Audio/Visual: sound, b&w
Keywords: need keyword

Creative Commons license: Public Domain

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Reviewer: LBFC - - February 28, 2012
Subject: How Do I receive the Legal Rights to this?
I want to use this in a documentary how do I get the rights?

Reviewer: usbilly - - December 4, 2011
Subject: I like it.
I like it.

Reviewer: doowopbob - - April 16, 2009
Subject: Ahh....Plastics....
How Far We Have Come....Now Girl's Have Plastic Hooters....But Natural's Are The Only Way To Go....!

Reviewer: Spuzz - - February 26, 2004
Subject: The War... on PLASTICS!
Even though you would think they would know better when they are brand spanking new at this, Young America, in their first film try WAY too hard at their first subject 'Plastics' and use almost every archival film footage piece ever made in this film as this film goes all over the place. Specifically focusing on the war, (and using not-really-needed Hitler footage) you would think, by the bombastic narration that the war was all ABOUT plastics. The film also tries to go into the history of plastics, but looking at the scientists in the labratory shaking overly big beakers around, you wonder if they are doing anything remotely related to the development of plastics at all. Enjoyable for the sheer volume of it all, this film won't really teach you anything, aside from what to do with surplus WWII footage you have lying around.

Reviewer: Steve Nordby - - September 5, 2003
Subject: New new new
The story of plastics from celluloid and Bakelite novelties to a valuable World War II resource. Less entertaining but more informative than a Simpson's parody of a classroom film. No negatives but new jobs, new processes, new uses, new wants, new markets, new prosperity, your new frontier. A new and better world of the molecule that belongs to us all.